Widowed Morris County Poet Praises Officers With Prose

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ - Losing his spouse of 42 years in April could have soured Kenneth E. Overby. But the 72-year-old Roxbury resident and inspirational poet's positive nature allowed him to express gratitude in an unlikely place.

Overby later returned home to write individual “Best of the Best Awards for 2020” for the two officers for providing him with “exceptional service” when they saw him on July 28. The awards state that both officers were very respectful and “seemed to be driven by high inner work standards and the willingness to serve.”

Overby said he particularly wanted to acknowledge the Officers’ conduct because “in the climate of today, police are getting a bad rap.”

“Most police officers are kind civil servants,” he said.

Morris County Sheriff James Gannon congratulated the officers and has put the commendations in their personnel files.

Feinberg, a former Hopatcong Police Officer and current Mount Arlington Fire Department Captain, was sworn in to the Morris County Sheriff’s Office on April 22, 2019. Bartol, a former Dispatcher for the Morris County Communications Center, was sworn in as a Sheriff’s Officer on July 20, 2020.

Overby most recently is the author of “From Glory to Glory,” a book of spiritual poetry, and “Say ‘Yes’ to the Prompting of the Holy Spirit.” Both works are available on Amazon.

The commendations state:

“This award is presented annually to those who are the cream of the crop in their specific disciplines and have displayed that they will not hesitate to go that extra mile to achieve ultimate customer satisfaction. This award is presented to the individuals who stand head and shoulders over all their peers and make a major impact on our communities, ultimately becoming their customers’ ‘Preferred Providers.’ They are the dedicated, responsible and accountable associates who show up every day ready to give more than a 100 percent team effort to get the job done. They have a passion for their jobs and for the people interaction that goes along with it.

“To receive this prestigious award, individuals or a group must see the big picture. This goes way beyond being the consummate professional, having knowledge in a given field and obtaining great results. This has to do with responding to a calling that is bigger than one’s self. This is about disciplining one’s mind to positively impact people’s lives in a positive way without any hidden motive or agenda. The individuals that receive this award are people of integrity who operate from a solid core of higher spiritual values like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. When one embraces such qualities, there is no one who can bring a valid charge against them.”

Gannon also sent the officers a note.

“It is said that people won’t remember what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel. This quote is appropriate and applies to your recent encounter with Mr. Kenneth E. Overby,” Gannon said in a note to the officers. “I was happy to learn, although not surprised, that Mr. Overby received exceptional and informative assistance during his recent visit to the Courthouse. The encounter left Mr. Overby with a more than favorable impression; an impression that inspired him to pen his remarks to you.”

When Overby visited the Morris County Administration & Records Building to start probating his late wife’s estate, he ran into Morris County Sheriff’s Officers Jonathan Feinberg and Tyler Bartol.

“I wanted to let the higher-ups know who the movers and shakers are,” Overby said.
Overby, who uses a walker, said the officers were particularly cordial, held the doors for him, brought him a comfortable chair and made sure a Surrogate’s Office staff member knew he was waiting in the A&R Building lobby.

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